坚持运动
jianchi yundong
To persist in exercise
Literally: Persist (坚持) + Exercise/Sports (运动)
In 15 Seconds
- Means staying consistent with a physical workout routine.
- Combines 'persist' and 'exercise' for a positive health habit.
- Used for encouragement, resolutions, and discussing lifestyle goals.
Meaning
This phrase is all about sticking to a workout routine. It combines the idea of grit and persistence with the physical act of moving your body.
Key Examples
3 of 6Encouraging a friend who wants to lose weight
只要你坚持运动，身体一定会变好。
As long as you persist in exercise, your health will definitely improve.
Talking about your daily routine
我每天早上都坚持运动一小时。
I persist in exercising for one hour every morning.
A doctor giving advice to a patient
建议您每天坚持运动，保持健康。
I suggest you persist in daily exercise to stay healthy.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'persistence' (坚持) is a core value in Chinese culture, often linked to the proverb 'water drops pierce stone.' In recent years, the 'National Fitness' (全民健身) campaign has made this phrase a staple in public health slogans and social media challenges.
The 'Keep going' Vibe
If you just say '运动', it’s just a noun. Adding '坚持' turns it into a lifestyle statement about grit.
The Park Culture
In China, '坚持运动' often looks like square dancing or walking backwards in a park. It’s not all HIIT and heavy weights!
In 15 Seconds
- Means staying consistent with a physical workout routine.
- Combines 'persist' and 'exercise' for a positive health habit.
- Used for encouragement, resolutions, and discussing lifestyle goals.
What It Means
坚持运动 is more than just going to the gym once. It describes the habit of staying active over a long period. Think of it as 'keeping up' with your fitness goals. It implies you aren't giving up, even when you're tired.
How To Use It
You can use it as a verb phrase in a sentence. Usually, you place it after a subject like 我 (I) or 你 (you). It often appears with words like 每天 (every day) or 一定要 (must). It sounds very positive and encouraging.
When To Use It
Use it when talking about health goals with friends. It’s perfect for New Year’s resolutions or gym talk. You can also use it to praise someone’s dedication. If your friend looks fit, tell them they are good at 坚持运动. It works well in text messages as a reminder.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for a one-time event. If you are going for a single walk, that's just 运动. It’s also not for hobbies that don't require physical effort. You wouldn't say 坚持运动 for playing video games. Avoid using it if someone is injured and needs rest.
Cultural Background
In China, health is often seen as a long-term investment. You will see elderly people in parks doing Tai Chi every morning. This is the ultimate form of 坚持运动. It’s not about intensity, but about never stopping. Modern youth culture also uses this phrase to talk about 'checking in' at the gym.
Common Variations
You might hear 坚持锻炼 (jiānchí duànliàn). It means almost the same thing but sounds slightly more formal. Another one is 天天运动, which is very casual. If you want to be trendy, use 打卡 (dǎkǎ) to mean 'clocking in' for your workout.
Usage Notes
This is a very safe, positive phrase. It fits into almost any conversation about lifestyle. Just remember that '坚持' implies a struggle or effort over time.
The 'Keep going' Vibe
If you just say '运动', it’s just a noun. Adding '坚持' turns it into a lifestyle statement about grit.
The Park Culture
In China, '坚持运动' often looks like square dancing or walking backwards in a park. It’s not all HIIT and heavy weights!
Word Order Matters
Always put '坚持' first. Saying '运动坚持' sounds like you're trying to say 'exercise persists,' which makes no sense.
Examples
6只要你坚持运动，身体一定会变好。
As long as you persist in exercise, your health will definitely improve.
Here it acts as the condition for a positive result.
我每天早上都坚持运动一小时。
I persist in exercising for one hour every morning.
Shows a disciplined personal habit.
建议您每天坚持运动，保持健康。
I suggest you persist in daily exercise to stay healthy.
Standard medical advice using a polite tone.
别放弃！坚持运动才有效果。
Don't give up! Only by persisting in exercise will you see results.
Short and punchy for a text message.
坚持运动太难了，我只想坚持睡觉。
Persisting in exercise is too hard; I only want to persist in sleeping.
Uses the structure of the phrase for a joke.
我已经坚持运动一百天了！
I have persisted in exercising for one hundred days already!
Expresses a sense of achievement.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the sentence about health.
为了健康，我们应该每天 ___ 。
While eating is necessary and TV is fun, '坚持运动' is the standard phrase for maintaining health through activity.
How do you tell someone 'You must keep exercising'?
你一定要 ___ 呀！
The verb '坚持' must come before the activity '运动'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 坚持运动
Talking to family about walking the dog.
咱们坚持运动吧！
Standard conversation with friends or colleagues.
他一直坚持运动。
Health posters or medical advice.
请广大市民坚持运动。
When to say 坚持运动
New Year Resolutions
My goal is to 坚持运动.
At the Gym
Encouraging a partner to finish the set.
Doctor's Office
Receiving lifestyle advice.
Social Media
Posting a workout selfie.
Practice Bank
2 exercises为了健康，我们应该每天 ___ 。
While eating is necessary and TV is fun, '坚持运动' is the standard phrase for maintaining health through activity.
你一定要 ___ 呀！
The verb '坚持' must come before the activity '运动'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! It covers any physical activity, from walking and swimming to Tai Chi or even dancing in the park.
Yes, but for them, it's more like 'training' (训练). For regular people, 坚持运动 is the most common way to describe staying fit.
Yes, it's a neutral and positive phrase. If your boss mentions they are trying to get healthy, saying 坚持运动对身体好 is very appropriate.
运动 is more general (sports/movement), while 锻炼 (duànliàn) often implies working out specifically for health. They are often interchangeable.
You can say 我没办法坚持运动 (Wǒ méi bànfǎ jiānchí yùndòng). It sounds a bit sad but very honest!
Not really, but it's often paired with the slang 打卡 (dǎkǎ), which means 'to punch in' or 'check in' on social media to show you worked out.
Absolutely! You can 坚持学习 (persist in studying) or 坚持梦想 (persist in your dreams). It's a very versatile word.
It depends on your tone. If you say 你要坚持运动, it's advice. If you say 坚持运动！ it's an encouraging shout.
Not really. 坚持 and 运动 are both two-syllable words that work together as a set piece. Shortening them might lose the meaning.
Both! Old people use it regarding longevity, and young people use it regarding fitness and 'body goals.'
Related Phrases
身体健康
Physical health / to be healthy
坚持不懈
To persevere unremittingly (idiom)
生命在于运动
Life depends on movement (famous saying)
减肥
To lose weight
